On Terms: Frequency and Rate in Applied Behavior Analysis

Abstract

The term Bfrequency^in applied behavior analysis and behavior measurement generally refers to cycles per unit time, or a count (usually of behavior) divided by the time during which it occurred. In statistics, however, the term refers to a count of items in a data set. This meaning of Bfrequency^as synonymous with Bcount^has been adopted by one major text and the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®. Another major text uses Bfrequency^and Brate^interchangeably when referring to behaviors per unit time. Both texts advise readers not to use counts of behavior without reference to the time base of the observation, and in the context of that advice, the count and time information thus provide rate data. We suggest that within applied behavior analysis (ABA) and behavior measurement the term Bfrequency^should not refer to Bcount^but instead to Brate,^and that references to counts without information about observation time should be avoided. Keywords Behavioral measurement . Frequency . RateSkinner once cited rate of response and the cumulative record as his two greatest contributions (Evans 1968). A count of some behavior or class of behavior recorded over a known period of time provides the two components of rate, often stated as Bcount per unit time.R ates may be recorded over short time intervals (e.g., correct math problems solved in 60 seconds), during which time we may observe no other behaviors, or longer intervals (e.g., affectionate comments to spouse per week), during which time we might observe many behaviors of other classes or have periods when the spouse is not present. Thus, the basic * Charles T. Merbitz

A Controlled Evaluation of a Sport-Specific Performance Optimization Program in an Athlete Diagnosed With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Within the Context of COVID-19

“…This measure assesses frequency of outbursts due to anger (e.g., shouting, cursing, and throwing or breaking things when upset) during the past 7 days. A single rating is recorded for the total number of outbursts ( Merbitz et al, 2016 ).…”

On the use of the term ‘frequency’ in applied behavior analysis

“…Merbitz, Merbitz, and Pennypacker () recently identified a terminological problem in behavior analysis. The term frequency has been used as a reference to both the rate of a response (the number of responses per time) as well as its count (the number of responses).…”

“…We note that the JEAB and EABtextbook data indicate that frequency is generally not used in EAB, which places this particular terminological issue within the ABA domain. Merbitz et al (2016) identified that the examination task lists of the now-defunct Florida Behavior Analysis Certification Program (Starin, Hemingway, & Hartsfield, 1993) used frequency as rate, but that the Behavior Analyst Certification Board ® 's (BACB ® ) task lists have used frequency as count. The authors imply that recent examples of frequency as count in the literature are an influence of the BACB's activity.…”